First World War Memorials

in Cirencester

This page contains information about names on the

Cirencester Memorials from AGG to BARRETT

The information is updated from that on display at our 2014 Exhibition [where more is known]. Click on name below to go to detailed information. That hovering little blue arrow will bring you back to here. Click on relevant page shown left to go to other names To get to the main site use buttons above

See Introductionto this project for an explanation of why the names are or are not on each memorial. These pages outline what we know about the named people, in many cases, very little. If you find errors or have more information we would be pleased to know. Contact: WW1 @ cirenhistory.org.uk

A CICETER WIDOW’S WAR TRIBUTE: ONE SON KILLED, THE OTHER WOUNDED

Mrs Agg, of 24 Beeches Road, Cirencester, has received intimation that her younger son, Private Alfred Agg, of the Gloucestershire Regiment, was killed in action on March 7th. The official notification expressed “the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss,” and accompanying it was a printed letter from Lord Kitchener in which he says “The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of his Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow.” Private Agg, who was 23 years of age, enlisted at the end of October, and only moved to the scene of war at the beginning of the present month, probably being killed in his first engagement. Mrs Agg’s elder son, Private John Agg, a machine gunner of the 1st Gloucesters, is at present home on sick furlough, having been wounded in the head at La Bassee on January 25. He had served seven years, and being called up with the Reserves formed part of the first Expeditionary Force. He went through the whole campaign from Mons onwards, and escaped injury till January 25, when he was struck by a bullet on the side of the head. After being treated in the Canadian Hospital in France and the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, he was given a month’s sick furlough, which was prolonged after medical examination for 14 days, and he is now under orders to rejoin the depot on Thursday, April 1st. Mrs Agg is a widow, entirely dependent on her soldier sons’ allowances. Source: FB image 1915 03 27 Ref 120. [Alfred Agg died Mar 7 1915. John Agg died 14 July 1916]

CICETER WIDOW LOSES HER SECOND SON

Mrs Agg, widow, of 92 Cricklade Street, Cirencester, lost her younger son, Private Alfred Agg, aged 22, of the Gloucesters, killed in action rather more than a year ago. She has now received intimation that her elder and only other son, Sergeant John Agg, aged 27, of the Machine Gun Corps, has been killed in action. Mrs Agg received the following letter from her son’s Commanding Officer on Wednesday morning: Brigade Machine Gun Co., Machine Gun Corps. 15th July 1916. France. My dear Mrs Agg, - It is with the deepest regret that I write in inform you that your son who was in this Company has been killed action. He was my section sergeant and a man of the greatest ability and of great value to the whole Company. He was killed in dug-out by a heavy shell which destroyed the whole building. I am extremely sorry to lose a valuable man and I wish to offer you my sincerest sympathies. Your son was one of my most trusted men and is a great loss to myself and my section. With my sincerest sympathies, George B. Coole, 2nd Lieut. 1st Brigade Machine Gun Coy., M.G.C. Sergeant John Agg has been on active service throughout the war. He was a reservist when hostilities began, and rejoining the colours went out with the Gloucester Regiment, going through the whole of the retreat from Mons and the subsequent advance, being wounded at La Bassee on January 25th 1915. He was invalided home, and owing to the injury to his head was told [sic] off for duty at the depot for some time, returning to the front in August 1915. Source: FB image 1916 07 22 Ref 258-260 with photo An Article “John’s Story” was contributed to a BBC memory site on 11/11/2008 by Barbara Jenkins, but seems now unavailable

CIRENCESTER MAN DIES OF WOUNDS

On Tuesday, Mr Alfred Charles Allaway, No. 8 Gooseacre Lane, Gloucester Street, Cirencester, received official information of the death from wounds of his son Private William John Allaway, Gloucestershire Regiment, which occurred in France on September 10th. Deceased joined his regiment in May 1915, and early saw service, taking part in the Gallipoli expedition and Suvla Bay evacuation. He afterwards contracted illness and got invalided to Port Said and England, during convalescence. After coming home about two months ago, he returned to camp, and five weeks since went in a county draft to France. From here he wrote his experiences in hopeful and cheery terms, pleased at his ability and part in doing duty for his country. He was anticipating the great push. The day or place of his wounding is not known. Private Allaway was 27 years of age, and associated with the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was apprenticed to and nearly until the time of his enlistment continued in the employ of Messrs. T. Gardner and Sons, Dyer Street, Cirencester. Source: FB image 1916 09 23 Ref 214 [Item 3]

ANDERSON, R. Graham

Memorial Parish Church R. GRAHAM ANDERSON Memorial Hospital ANDERSON R.G. [Number] Lieutenant Robert Graham Anderson. 1st Battalion, Royal Gloucestershire Hussars. Born 1890, only child of Robert and Mary Anderson of Barton House, Cirencester. Enlisted [location] Died 12 November 1917. Aged 27. Killed in Action. Palestine. Grave XXVI.D.3. Gaza War Cemetery. Notes: Son of Robert Anderson (1859-1939) and Mary Elizabeth Anderson (nee Read, 1861-1939). His father was Land Agent and Surveyor for the Bathurst Estate/Cirencester Park. In 1911 Census living with parents at The Barton, aged 20, pupil Land Agent. SDGW record: Lieutenant. Regiment: Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (incl. Yeomanry & Imperial Camel Corps). Battalion: Gloucestershire Yeomanry. Wills & Probate. Robert Graham Anderson of Knowsley Prescot, Lancashire, lieutenant Gloucestershire Yeomanry died 12 Nov 1917 at Palestine on active service. Administration London 17 Mar 1918 to Robert Anderson land agent. Effects £1196 14s. 11d. Information supplied by L.J. Birkin on behalf of the Regimental Historical Research Committee of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, Dec 2010: Lieut. Robert Graham Anderson, 1/1 Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Yeomanry, poet and composer of the Regimental Anthem first performed 29th April 1922 at the Dedication Service in Gloucester Cathedral for the RGH Memorial on College Green. War Diary: 1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Yeomanry Imperial Mounted Division: Nov. 12th 1917 ....”The Regiment withdrew to IJSEIR at 1930 and bivouacked for the night and at 20.00 Men were able to fill water-bottles, but no further issue of rations or forage were obtainable. I regret to report that during the action Lieut. R.G. Anderson was killed and Capt. E.J.B. Herbert, R.G.H. attached 16th. M.G. Sqn, was reported as having received a G.S.W. in head, from which he died.” Wilts & Glos Standard Nov 24 1917

THE LATE LIEUTENANT R. GRAHAM ANDERSON

We recorded last week with deep regret the death in action of Lieutenant Robert Graham Anderson, Yeomanry, only son of Mr and Mrs Robert Anderson, of Knowsley, Prescott, Lancashire, and formerly of Cirencester. So far no details have been received, and we can only conclude that the gallant young officer fell in the course of the brilliantly successful operations which General Allenby is now conducting against the routed Turks in Palestine.Robert Graham Anderson was born August 18 1890 at The Barton, Cirencester. He was educated at Eton, where he went from his private school at Eastbourne in 1904. He boarded in Keates Lane with the late Miss Jane Evans, whose house after her death was taken over by Mr A.B. Ramsay, the present Lower Master. He was Secretary of the Musical Society, Editor of the Eton Chronicle, and in “Pop.” After leaving Eton he spent a few months at Ciceter and passed the examination into the Surveyors’ Institution, first on the list, before going as pupil to Mr Warner Turner, agent to the Duke of Portland. In 1913 he was offered an appointment in the Valuation Department, and was a year in Norfolk. Resigning early in 1914, he returned to Ciceter and was assisting his father when war was declared. He at once enlisted in the Public Schools Battalion, and subsequently Colonel Sandeman gave him a commission in the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, quartered at Gloucester. After passing his musketry course with distinction he became Instructor, afterwards going to the East Coast with the Regiment. In October 1915 he went out with drafts to the Mediterranean, joining the Expeditionary Force which had just been withdrawn from Gallipoli, meeting the Regiment at Mudros, afterwards going on to Egypt. In the battle of Romani in July 1916 he was shot through the shoulder and later sent back to England. As we stated last week, Lieutenant Anderson spent a part of his leave at Cirencester [with his uncle and aunt Mr & Mrs Sewell, The Beeches], and enjoyed several days’ hunting with the local packs, as he also did during one or two week-ends when employed as Musketry Instructor on Salisbury Plain. He was passed fit again for foreign service last June and returned to Egypt, rejoining his regiment at the front. He was killed in action on November 12th. Lieutenant Graham Anderson was not only one of the most popular but also one of the most efficient officers in his battalion, being simply loved by his men, for he was the personification of geniality and kindness. The estimation in which he was held by his brother officers is shown by the following extract of a letter from one under whom he served: “He would have done great things with his life, for he had so many gifts and everyone was fond of him, and with it all he had such a charming nature and was quite unspoiled. He was of the greatest help to me when he came to my Squadron last August, he was so keen and took so much trouble and brought so much natural ability to everything he did, and he ad tact and such a friendly disposition that made him popular with officers and men and made everything go smoothly and happily. He will be a terrible loss to the Regiment.” In private life Lieutenant Graham Anderson’s delightfully sunny disposition, charm of manner, and rare natural gifts gave promise of an honourable and distinguished career, and that such a bright young life should have been cut off almost on its threshold is one of the unspeakably pathetic tragedies of this terrible war. As in military life, so in his civil duties, he brought the best of his high abilities to bear on what fell to him to do. He would no doubt have adorned his father’s profession, which he adopted of his own choice. But he had also the makings of an artist or a musician. Some of our readers will remember the pretty water colour drawings from his brush of Cirencester Church, Cirencester and Eton scenes, etc., at the amateur exhibition that was held at the Thomas Street Vicarage a few years ago. As a boy and as a pupil of Mr A.H. Gibbons, he developed high musical talent, and when he went to Eton Dr Harford Lloyd thought highly of his capabilities. He composed and published many dainty and tuneful songs, which showed deft and artistic interpretation and illustration of the lyrics to which they were set, several pianoforte pieces, and an operetta which was, we believe, privately performed. He was also a keen lover of Church music, and while home on sick leave last summer he wrote an evening service, “Cantate” and “Nunc Dimittis,” whic he left behind him in manuscript. R.L. Stevenson’s tender and touching poem, “In Memoriam, A.S.F..” might have been written to commemorate just such a brief, bright, and happy life – Yet, O stricken hear, remember, O remember How of human days he lived the better part. April came to bloom and never dim December Breather its killing chills upon the hear or heart. Doomed to know not Winter, only Spring, a being Trod the flowery April blithely for a while, Took his fill of music, joy of thought and seeing, Came and stayed and went, nor ever ceased to smile. Came and stayed and went, and now when all is finished, You alone have crossed the melancholy stream, Yours the pang, but his, O his, the undiminished Undecaying gladness, undeparted dream. All that life contains of torture, toil, and treason, Shame, dishonour, death, to him were but a name. Here, a boy, he dwelt through all the singing season And ere the day of sorrow departed as he came.

Cirencester Freemasons’ Sympathy

Lieutenant Graham Anderson was the great-grandson of Brother Robert Anderson, who was one of the founders of the Cotteswold Lodge of Freemasons on 1851, being one of the signatories to the Petition for a Warrant or Charter addressed to the Grand Lodge. Lieut. Anderson became a member of the Cotteswold Lodge, of which his father is a Past Master, in 1914, but owing to the outbreak of war and his military duties he was unable to complete the ceremony of his initiation, till he came home on sick leave exactly a year ago in November 1916. At the meeting of the Lodge held on Wednesday evening last, the following resolution was adopted and directed to be forwarded to Mr Anderson: “The members of the Cotteswold Lodge desire to convey to W. Bro. Robert Anderson and Mrs Anderson an expression of the sincere sorrow with which they have received the sad news of the death in action of Bro. Robert Graham Anderson, Yeomanry, on Nov. 12th. In offering to Mr and Mrs Anderson their deep sympathy in the loss of their only son, the Brethren are themselves under a sense of real personal bereavement, for Bro. Graham Anderson’s gallant death in his country’s cause has removed one who it was hoped would long be associated with the Lodge, and would have continued in its records the only name now surviving among those who founded the Lodge sixty-six years ago

GALLANT YOUNG CICETER SOLDIER

Not many soldiers are “old campaigners” boasting war service in two continents, at the age of 19, but such was the experience of Lance-Corporal William Angell, K.S.L.I., only son of Mrs E. Angell, of 109 Gloucester Street, whose glorious military career was cut short by death in France on June 7th. Transferred from the 3rd to the 5th Wilts, he saw service with General Townshend in Mesopotamia, where he received wounds in the groin and leg. He was admitted into hospital in India for treatment, thus escaping the fate which befell General Townshend’s force at Kut. On discharge from the hospital he returned to England, and being affected by the new regulation providing that soldiers should not be required for active service until they reached the age of 19 years, remained here two years till, attaining that age a short time ago, he was transferred to the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and was drafted to France. On June 6th he was admitted to the 14th General Hospital, with wounds in the groin, axilla and foot. So serious were his injuries that amputation of the entire right leg was necessary. But though he made a brave fight and there seemed at one time a possibility of his recovery, he died the next day. In hospital he met Dr Graham, of Cirencester, and his manly spirit and gentle bearing and his touching anxiety for his lonely mother, made a so deep an impression on all the staff that his mother received not one but many, letters of sympathy, couched in terms of unusual feeling. Source: FB image 1918 Jan 5th to July 27th 1918 06 22 Ref 371, with photo, 374, 375

BARRETT, Richard E.

Memorial Parish Church RICHARD E. BARRETT. Memorial Hospital BARRETT R.E. M.8851. (Ch). Act ERA 4th Richard Edward Barrett. HMS Goliath, Royal Navy. Born 18 Aug 1892, Cirencester. Enlisted [location] Died 13 May 1915. Aged 23. Killed or died as result of direct enemy action. [Dardanelles] Chatham Naval Memorial. Not recovered for burial. Notes: Son of Albert Edward and Eva Annie Barrett of 27 St. John Street, Cirencester. Father: Albert Edward Barrett (1864-1935), butcher, of 27 Black Jack Street. In 1911 Census living at home, at 27 St John Street, with father, mother, brother and two sisters. Occupation: apprentice engineering (railway), aged 18. Wilts & Glos Standard 22 May 1915 A CIRENCESTER MAN ON THE “GOLIATH”Mr R.E. Barrett, son of the Mr A.E. Barrett, of 27 Black Jack Street, Cirencester, was an artificer on board the Goliath at the time of her loss. After serving his apprenticeship at the M. & S.W.J.R. Works, Cirencester, Mr Barrett spent two years with a firm of engineers at Gillingham. Entering the Royal Navy on September 16th last, he was stationed at Chatham till March of this year, when he was appointed to the Goliath, and proceeded to the Cape to join his ship. An excellent athlete and swimmer, Mr Barrett was successful in securing a silver cup in an athletic contest while at this station, leaving shortly afterwards for the Dardanelles. No news of Mr Barrett had been received up to the time of going to press. Source: FB image 1915 05 22 Ref 191. Report in Cheltenham Chronicle & Glos’ Graphic, for May 29 1915, with photograph: “Engineer Artificer Richard Ed. Barrett, R.N., H.M.S. Goliath, who has been officially reported ‘missing’ since that vessel was sunk by the Turks in the Dardanelles on May 13. He was a splendid athlete, and son of Mr & Mrs A.E. Barrett, 27 Black Jack Street.” Recorded on UK Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919. & Grammar School Memorial, Bingham Hall, Cirencester.

See Introductionto this project for an explanation of why the names are or are not on each memorial. These pages outline what we know about the named people, in many cases, very little. If you find errors or have more information we would be pleased to know. Contact: WW1 @ cirenhistory.org.uk

The information is updated from that on display at our 2014 Exhibition where more is known. Click on name below to go to detailed information. Click on relevant page shown above to go to other names .To get to the main site use Navigation menu above

ALLAWAY, William

Memorial Parish Church WILLIAM J. ALLAWAY Memorial Hospital ALLAWAY W.J. 21124 Private William John Allaway. 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. Born [c.1891, Cirencester]. Enlisted Cirencester. Died 10 September 1916. Aged 27. Died of Wounds. France & Flanders.Grave IV.C.20. Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt;L’Abbe. Notes: Son of Alfred Charles Allaway (1858-1936) and Emily (nee Rigsby, 1864-1894). In 1911 Census William John Allaway (aged 21, born c.1891, Ciren) living at 8 Gooseacre Lane, Cirencester; occupation, Painter (builders). Head of house was his widowed father, Alfred Charles Allaway (aged 52, mason’s labourer).A report in WGS available on main site

ANDERSON, R. Graham

Memorial Parish Church R. GRAHAM ANDERSON Memorial Hospital ANDERSON R.G. [Number] Lieutenant Robert Graham Anderson. 1st Battalion, Royal Gloucestershire Hussars. Born 1890, only child of Robert and Mary Anderson of Barton House, Cirencester. Enlisted [location] Died 12 November 1917. Aged 27. Killed in Action. Palestine. Grave XXVI.D.3. Gaza War Cemetery. Much more about Lt Anderson on the main site.